Auxiliary circuit controlling switch



Nov. l1, 1941, J. s. THOMPSON 2,262,305

AUXILIARY CIRCUIT CONTROLLING SWITCH Filed sept. 3, 1940 Fin-I1 .Patented Noir. 1l, 1941 I 2,262,306 i AUXILIARY omoUrr coN'rnoLLING SWITCH Joseph S. Thompson, Los Altos, Calif., assigner to Paciflc Electric Manu San Francisca Calif.,

forma facturing Corporation, a corporation of Cali- Application September 3, 1940, Serial No. 355,132

(c1. zoo-6) Claims.

The present invention relates to auxiliary circuit controlling switches, and more particularly to a circuit controlling switch that can be used in connection with electrically controlled equipment, such as automatically operating ,circuit breakers and the like, to provide interlocking control circuits -for the various electrically responsivev devices commonly used therewith.

An object of the invention is to provide a switch unit of uniform design that can be placed in superimposed relation with any number of other similar units and operated simultaneously therewith to either open and/or close any number of auxiliary control circuits in any desired sequence.

Another object of theirivention is to provide an auxiliary circuit controlling switch that will establish a double break in the circuit when opened and in which the circuit controlling parts may be operated by oscillating or rotary movement of an operating shaft.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and reliable auxiliary switch that can be operated by a straight line movement or a rotary movement of an associated piece of apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-circuit controlling means in which a plurality' of independent circuit controlling switches are supported between insulating baiiles that interlock and cooperate with each other to support the switches in cooperating relation with a common operating means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary switch of simple construction which is mounted vupon a base of insulating material having complementary surfaces that cooperate with similar surfaces of a similar base and provide an arrangement wherein any number of circuit controlling switches may be secured in superimposed relation upon a single support and in operative relation with a common operating means.

In the control of electrical apparatus, such as recloslng circuit breakers and other automatic sub-station equipment, it is necessary to provide auxiliary switches for the various interlocking circuits which such an installation requires, and since these circuits are necessarily controlled in relation to the position of some moving part of the equipment, it is desirable that the auxiliary circuit controlling means be of such a character that it be adapted to control either a single or any number of associated circuits 'part of the equipment. Therefore, it isla further object of the present invention to provide a circuit controlling means which comprises individual switch units that can be mounted in any desired numbers in superimposed vrelation upon a single support and in cooperating relation with a common operating means.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should now be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an auxiliary circuit controlling switch constructed in accordance with the invention and having parts broken away and in section to reveal its details of construction,

Figure 2 is a vertical view taken along line II-II of Figure 1, showing the elements of one of the circuit controlling switches in their circuit closed position,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig- Y ure 2 of the drawing, showing the circuit-controlling elements of the switch in their 'circuit opened position, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 2 and through a number of the circuit controlling` switches.

In Figure 1 of the drawing there is shown a multi-circuit 'controlling device in which three independently insulated switches, designated A,

' B and C, are mounted upon a suitable bracket or support I0 in cooperating relation with aA common operating shaft II by means of tie-rods I2 and I3. The operating shaft II is here shown as journaled at one end upon the bracket or support III by means of a bearing forming sleeve I 4 which is secured against axial displacement upon th e shaft II` by means of a pin I5.. At this end the shaft II is also shown as carrying a clevis-like crank arm I6 which connects with a reciprocating link or rod I'I. The other end of the shaft I I is shown as having a second bearing forming sleeve I 8- that is journaled in any end plate I9 which is held in clamping relation with the support I 0 by threaded nuts 20 and 2l respectively upon the tie-rods I2 and I3. As will be more clearly pointed out hereinafter, the switches A, B and C are each mounted upon similar supports or base forming members 22 that are preferably formed of a moldable insulating material.

These bases 22 switches to this assembly,

' providing longer tieV rods I2 and have their adjacent faces formed complementary to each other, as will also hereinafter appear, so that when arranged side by side -upon the tie-rods. I2 and I3. as here shown, they will be clamped in ,registeringl alignment upon the support III when the nuts 20 and 2I are tightened against the end plate I9* At this point it will be noted that the switch forming elements and contacts have been omitted from the extreme right hand base forming member 22 and as a result this base forming member will merely cooperate with the next adjacentJ base forming member 22 to provide an enclosure for the switch C. With this arrangement it will be understood that should it be desired to add one or more additional circuit controlling this can be done by merely inserting switch forming elements and contacts similar to those of the switchesA, B and'C in the end' base forming member 22 and I3, and if required, a longer operating `shaft II. In this way any number of circuit controlling switches similar to those here illustrated may be added to the assembly when desired. Instead of using a base forming member 22 at the end of the assembly, as here shown, it will be understood Athat a properly designed lend member of insulating material, from which the switch and contact accommodating features are omitted,

maybe provided as a closure means at this point. In this ligure of the drawing, the tierods I2 and I3 arev shown las having their threaded ends extendingv out jbeyond the threaded nuts 20 and 2l so that, if desired, a suitable enclosing housing 23 may be telescoped over the base forming members 22 and secured thereupon by means of thumb nuts 24 and 25. In the event that such an enclosing housing 23 is used, it will be provided with a suitable opening or openings through which access can be had to the terminals of the several circuit con-v trolling switches enclosed therein. Before passing on to the remaining iigures of the drawing for a detailed description of the base forming members 22 and the nature and mamier of assembly of the circuit controlling elements of the switch, it should be stated that while the switch operating shaft I'I is here shown asadapted to be oscillated by a crank arm I6, this shaft may also be operated to effectively control the lindividual controlling switches A, B and C by a complete rotation thereof, as through the medium of a` gear or a direct connection with a rotating element at the end thereof.

Reference is now made to Figure 2 of the drawing for a detailed description of other novel features of the present invention. As here one side and at one end of which there is provided a raised spacing boss 26 that extends outwardly therefrom. At its lower end this rectangular portion of each of the base formwise adapted to project into a complementary recess which is formed in the other side of the adjacent base forming member 22. With the base forming members 22 formed in this man-v ner, it will be readily seen that when two or more of these members are spaced side by side with their cylindrical extensions 28 and 29 onv one side registering with complementary Arecesses formed in the other side of a similarv base forming member 22, the adjacent base forming members will form a pair or series of spaced baiiles between which circuit controlling elements and contacts may be disposed in insulated relation from each other, as is clearly shown in Figure l of the drawing.

In addition to providing for a spacing between the rectangular body portions'of the base form-` ing members 22, the bosses 26 and 21 are also relied upon tovposition and support circuit controlling switch elements and contacts of novel -construction which will now be described in detail. The boss 26 is shown as having its inner end formed of rectangular outline and as carrying a contact forming conductor 30 which is bent therearound so as to provide oppositely disposed stationary contacts 3I and 32 with which pivotally ,mounted contact memb'ers 33 and 34 cooperate. The contact forming conductor 30 is so bent and dimensioned that it will fit tightly over the end of the boss 26 and at its corners it is held against vertical displacement by means of two upstanding smaller bosses 35 that are formed upon the base forming member 22. With this arrangement ity will be seen that when the pivotally mounted contacts 33 and 34 are are in their circuit closed position, as here shown, a circuit will be established through the conductor 33; Unlike the spacing boss' 26, the spacing boss 21 extends laterally across the base forming member 2,2

. and is provided with two irregular Ior L-shaped shown, the base forming members 22 each have a nat body portion of rectangular outline upon slots 36 and 31 into which terminal forming and contact supporting' members 36 and 39, together with biasing leaf springs 43 and 4I, are respectively disposed. As shown, the terminal forming and contact supporting members 33 sup' ports the pivotally mountedjcontact 33 and has a terminal 42 at its outer end. The other end of the member 33 is bent to form a semi-cylindrical bearing surface 43 into which a semicylindrical end 44 formed uponl the pivotally mounted contact 33 is disposed. The terminal forming and contact supporting member 33 likewise has a terminal 46 at its lower end and a semi-cylindrical bearing surface 46 at its other end with which a semi-cylindrical end 41 upon the pivotally mounted contact 34 engages. At this point it will be lnoted that the biasing leaf springs 4I! and 4I are so dimensioned that their outer ends respectively engage the pivotally mounted contacts 33 and 34 at points beyond the pivotal axis of these contact members so that their contact making ends will be erence to this figure, it will also be noted that' 'aaeaaoe the openings il are counter-bored at each side so as to accommodate hubs formed at each end of a double cam 32 which is splined upon the shaft Il by a iiuting of its central opening in a manner corresponding to that of the shaft 5 Il.` One of these double cams 52 is provided for each complete switch assembly. From this it will be seen that one of these cams 52 will be held in cooperating relation with each set of pivotally mounted contacts 33 and 34 by the adjacent base 10 forming members 22. When thus assembled, the cam forming ends of the cams 52 will be adapted to engage inwardly extending portions 53 formed upon the pivotally mounted contacts 33 and 34 at a point radial to the axis of the shaft 15 Il. Therefore, when the shaft Il is turned, these double cams 52 will operatively engage inwardly extending portions 53 and move the pivotaliy mounted ycontacts 33 and 34 out of circuit ymaking engagement with the stationary contact .forming conductor 30, as shown in Figure 3, and

thus open the circuit between the terminals 42 and carried by the terminal forming and contact supporting members 38 and 39.

Upon referring to Figure 4 of the drawing, it g5 will be noted that the slots 31 formed in the spacing boss 21 in the base forming member 22 support the terminal forming and contact supporting members 38 and 39 and the biasing leaf springs 40 and 4I edgewise with respect to the 3o baille forming portions of the base forming members 22. At this point it should also be noted* that the baseforming members 22 are provided with slightly raised surfaces 54 that are adapted to engage the opposite edges of the pivotally :55 mounted contacts 33 and 34 at the points where they pivotally engage the semi-cylindrical bearing surfaces 43 and 46 :formed respectively upon the terminal forming and contact supporting members 38 and 39. These slightly raised sur-v 4u faces 54, together with similarly positioned raised surfaces upon the other side of each of the base forming members 22, serve to hold the pivotally mounted contact members 33 and 34, the biasing leaf springs 40 and 4i, and the terminal forming 4,3 and contact supporting members 38 and 39 in slightly spaced relation with respect to the fiat body or baille forming portions of the base forming members 22 and thus the pivotally mounted contact members 33 and 34 will be free to move 5o between their open and closed circuit positions with respect to the contact forming conductor 30 when the shaft Il is turned or rotated.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose the invention so that the same 55 can be readily understood, described and illustrated specific devices and arrangements, I desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and it is desired to claim it so that all such changes asl come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim" and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an auxiliary switch of the character described, the combination of a plurality ofbaile forming members of insulating material adapted to be secured in superimposed relation, a spacing boss upon each of said baille forming members adapted to interlock with an adjacent one of said baille forming members, a circuit forming conductor partially surrounding said boss and arof saidslots, a movable contact membery pivotally associated with said contact supporting member and said operating spring, an operating shaft extending transversely through said baille forming members, a plurality of cams upon said shaft adapted to operate said pivotally mounted contact members into and out of engagement with the contact surfaces of the associated circuit forming conductor, and means for securing said baille forming members in superimposed relation with the spacing bosses upon said one of said baille forming members in contact with another of said baille forming members, whereby the circuit forming conductors,` the contact supporting members, the contact operating springs and the movable contact members between the adjacent baffle forming members will be held in cooperating relation with each other and with their respective cams without other securing means.

2. In an auxiliary switch of the character described. the combination of a supporting member of insulating material having an outwardly extending boss at one end, a contact forming conductor disposed edgewise upon said supporting member and providing a stationary contact at one side of said boss, a second outwardly extending boss at the other end of said supporting member having a slot formed therein, la terminal f orming member having a semicylindrical bearing forming surface at its inner end supported edgewise to said supporting member in said slot, a leaf spring also disposed edgewise in said slot with said terminal forming member, a movable contact forming member having a semi-cylindrical end engaging the 'semi-cylindrical bearing forming surface upon said terminal forming member and a contact forming end which is biased into contact with the stationary contact upon said first boss by said leaf spring, an operating cam disposed between said bosses and operable upon an axis transverse to the plane of said supporting member for moving said contact forming member against the action of said leaf spring and Vout ofvcontact making engagement with said stationary contact, and a second member of insulating material adapted to be secured against the extending bosses of said supporting member and hold said stationary contact, said -terminal member, Said Spring and Said movable contact member in cooperating relation and against edgewise displacement from said supporting member.

3. In an auxiliary switch of the character described, the combination of a supporting member of insulating material having an outwardly extending boss at one end, a contact forming conductor disposed edgewise upon said supporting member and providing a stationary contact at the side of said boss, a second outwardly extending boss at the other end of said supporting member having a substantially L-shaped slot formed therein, a terminal forming member of L-shaped configuration having a semi-cylindrical bearing forming surface at its inner end and arranged edgewise in said L-shaped slot, a leaf spring of L-shaped connguration disposed in said cylindrical bearing forming surface upon said terminal forming member and a. .contact forming end which is.biased into contact with the stationary contact upon said first boss by said leaf spring, a rotatable cam disposed between said boss and operable upon an axis transverse to the plane of said supporting member for moving said contact forming member against the action of said leaf spring and out of contact making ensagement with said stationary contact, and a second supporting member for a similar switch having flat surfaces adapted to be secured against theextending bosses of said first supporting member for securing said stationary contact, said terminal member, said spring and said movable contact member, against edgewise displacement from -said supporting` member.

4. In a multiple circuit controlling switch, the combination of a plurality of contact supporting and baille forming members of insulating material adapted to be secured in superimposed relation upon a suitable support, said baffle forming members having spacing bosses on one side which space them with respect to each other when secured in superimposed relation, a support for said baie forming members, means for securing said baille forming members in superimposed relation upon said support, a shaft extending lthrough apertures formed in said baille forming members between said spacing bosses, a switch operating cam positioned upon said shaft between adjacent baiile' forming members, a cur- 'rent conducting member partially surrounding one of said spacing bosses and terminating with a contact surface at each side thereof, a pivotally movable switch forming member positioned by another of said spacing bosses in cooperating relation with each of the contact surfaces of said current conducting member, spring means for biasing said movable switch forming member into contact with said current conducting member, and an operating cam carried by said shaft and positioned axially between each of said baille forming members for moving said pivotally movable switch forming members against the action of said spring means and out of engagement with the contactvsurfaces of the conductor upon said first spacing boss as said shaft turns, each of said baille forming members also having spacing pads at the pivotal point of said movable switch forming member to provide an operating clearance between said switch forming members and said baflle forming members, whereby said current conducting member said movable switch forming members said spring means and said cam will be held in cooperating and operative relation with each other solely by the adjacent baffle forming members.

5. In an auxiliary switch of the character described.l the combination of a plurality of baille forming members of insulating material adapted to be secured in superimposed relation, a spacing boss upon each of said baille forming members adapted to interlock withanother of said baille forming members, a circuit forming conductor arranged edgewise between said baille forming members partially surrounding said bosses and providing a contact surface at the opposite-sides thereof, a second boss spaced from said first boss and also interlocking with another of said baule forming members, said latter boss having slots formed therein, a contact supporting member and a contact operating leaf spring disposed edgewise in-each of said slots, a movable contact member pivotally associated with said contact supporting member and said operating leaf spring, an operating shaft extending transversely through said baille forming members, a cam ,upon said shaft adapted to move said pivotally mounted contact members against-the action of said leaf springs and out of engagement with the contact surfaces upon said circuit forming conductor, metallic end plates adapted to interlock with the outer of said plurality of baille forming members and provide bearings for said operating shaft, and tie-rods extending through said bosses for securing said end plates and said barile forming members in superimposed relation with each other, whereby said baille forming members, said circuit forming conductors, said contact supporting members, said contact operating leaf springs and said movable contact members will be held in cooperating relation with each other and with said cam without other securing means.

JOSEPH S. THOMPSON. 

